After a 23–9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett stunned fans and analysts with a postgame comment that has sparked outrage — and even rumors that he may be eyeing a move to Pittsburgh in the future.
Speaking candidly after the game, Garrett delivered high praise for the rival Steelers, calling them the current standard of the AFC:
“The Steelers right now are playing on a completely different level — they’re not just chasing the AFC North, they’re chasing the Super Bowl. The way they control the line of scrimmage, the way that defense suffocates you — it’s pure dominance. Losing to Pittsburgh isn’t something to hang your head about. They’re not just contenders anymore… they’re the standard of the AFC.”
The quote spread like wildfire, triggering immediate backlash among Browns fans. Many accused Garrett of “admiring the enemy” after a poor individual showing (0 sacks, 1 QB hit). Others speculated he might be
hinting at an eventual exit, possibly to join the very team that embarrassed Cleveland. The hashtag #GarrettToSteelers quickly trended in Ohio, generating tens of thousands of posts within hours.
Game Recap: Steelers 23 – Browns 9
1st Quarter:
The Steelers took an early 6–0 lead with two Chris Boswell field goals (44 and 50 yards). The Browns’ offense sputtered, gaining just
34 total yards on 2.8 yards per play.
2nd Quarter:
Boswell added a 48-yard kick to make it 9–0. Cleveland finally got on the board with a 31-yard field goal
by Andre Szmyt just before halftime (9–3), helped by a “running into the kicker” penalty that extended their drive.
3rd Quarter:
Aaron Rodgers found Connor Heyward for a 12-yard touchdown (16–3). The Browns answered with another field goal (16–6), but the
Steelers’ defense, led by T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, dominated the trenches — sacking Dillon Gabriel twice and shutting down Cleveland’s offense.
4th Quarter:
A costly Jerome Ford fumble
recovered by Jalen Ramsey set up an 18-yard TD pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf, sealing the game at 23–6. Szmyt added one more field goal late (23–9), but the Browns never threatened.
Key Performances
Steelers:
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Aaron Rodgers: 21/30, 235 yards, 2 TDs (Heyward, Metcalf), 115.3 passer rating.
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DK Metcalf: 4 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD.
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Defense: 6 sacks (Watt 0.5, Herbig 2, Ramsey 2), 1 fumble recovery, 8 passes defended, only
26 rushing yards allowed.
Browns:
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Dillon Gabriel: 18/28, 172 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT.
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Quinshon Judkins: 6 carries, 15 yards; 9 catches, 62 yards.
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Defense: Contained the run but allowed 2 passing TDs; multiple injuries (Jack Conklin – concussion, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – hip).
Officiating Controversies
The game featured 12 accepted penalties (Steelers 5, Browns 7), two of which drew sharp debate online:
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Defensive Holding on Jabrill Peppers (Q2): A light contact penalty extended a Browns drive that led to a field goal. Many called it a
“soft call.”
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Missed Review on Jerome Ford’s Fumble (Q4): Replay suggested the ball might’ve touched the ground before the recovery, but no review was initiated. The Steelers scored a touchdown five plays later, sealing the game. Hashtag
#RefsVsBrowns trended with over 10,000 mentions.
After the game, Garrett admitted the Steelers’ dominance was overwhelming. But the timing of his praise — immediately following a lifeless performance by Cleveland — struck fans as tone-deaf.
One fan wrote on X: “You don’t call your biggest rival ‘the standard of the AFC’ after they humiliate you. That’s not leadership — that’s surrender.”
As rumors swirl, the bigger question lingers:
Is Myles Garrett simply showing respect… or quietly signaling he’s ready to wear black and gold?
